To whom can a Christies International Real Estate franchisee disclose the terms of the Franchise Agreement?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You agree that your execution of this Agreement shall be deemed to be your power of attorney in favor of us to execute all such documents on your behalf to carry out and effectuate the purposes and intent of this provision.
- 7.9. Publicity. Except as required by law, you may not make any press release or other public announcement respecting the subject matter of this Agreement without our written consent as to the form of such press release or public announcement.
- 7.10. Office Sign. You must install one (1) or more exterior signs displaying your Trade Name on your Main Office and any Additional Offices. Your sign(s) must conform to the Brand Guidelines. The sign(s) utilizing our Marks must be installed within ninety (90) days from the Effective Date of this Agreement. You must obtain our prior written permission for any exception to the office sign requirements due to local ordinances or other reasons and you must provide written documentation reflecting the reasons for varying the signage.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
- **8.1.
Definition.** "Confidential Information" means the methods, techniques, information, data, formats, marketing and promotional techniques and procedures, specifications, information, systems, software, and knowledge of and experience in operating and franchising CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE businesses that we communicate to you or that you otherwise acquire in operating the Business under the System including, but not limited to, the Operations Manual and Brand Guidelines and the terms of this Agreement.
Confidential Information does not include information, processes or techniques that are generally known to the public, other than through disclosure (whether deliberate or inadvertent) by you.
- **8.2.
Confidentiality.** You acknowledge and agree that you do not acquire any interest in the Confidential Information, other than the right to use it in developing and operating the Business pursuant to this Agreement, and that the use or duplication of the Confidential Information in any other business constitutes an unfair method of competition.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are restricted in their ability to disclose the terms of their Franchise Agreement. Specifically, franchisees cannot make any press release or other public announcement regarding the agreement's subject matter without obtaining prior written consent from Christies International Real Estate. This consent must be obtained regarding the form of the press release or public announcement.
This restriction is further reinforced by the confidentiality clause within the agreement. The FDD defines "Confidential Information" as encompassing various aspects of the Christies International Real Estate business, including methods, techniques, data, marketing strategies, systems, software, and the terms of the Franchise Agreement itself. Franchisees acknowledge that they only have the right to use this confidential information for operating their Christies International Real Estate business and that using or duplicating it for any other business constitutes unfair competition.
In practical terms, a prospective Christies International Real Estate franchisee should understand that the terms of their agreement are considered highly confidential. They cannot publicly discuss the specifics of the agreement without prior approval from Christies International Real Estate. This includes refraining from disclosing financial terms, operational procedures, or any other details covered in the agreement to third parties, unless legally required. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, aimed at protecting the franchisor's proprietary information and maintaining a consistent brand image.